Need info on colposcopy-please help

IamRN · Jun 23, 2004

I tried a google.com search and the first hit is this.

blondiii · Jun 23, 2004

OOh I deleted this because I read it "colonoscopy"....sorry

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 23, 2004

HAD a colpo 17 years ago when I had severe dysplasia. It DOES cramp quite a bit but is QUICK. The painful part was when they had to go up INTO my cervix and "clip" a tiny bit of tissue for sampling. But like I said, it was quick. The treatment for me, was not NEARLY as painful as the colpo. MY advice is tell your SIL to ask her dr about taking 800mg Motrin or some Naprosyn prior to the procedure to kinda head off cramping at the pass. She can expect a bit of spotting after the procedure. For me, a heat pack and motrin were my best friends in the first crampy hours after the colpo. Hope this helps and I hope the SIL will be OK!!!! Best wishes.

hypnotic_nurse · Jun 24, 2004

Dear Imrn,
I had mine a few weeks ago. My sister had one the month before. I didn't feel a thing. Neither did she. The worst part was not getting to eat right the day before, and the big clean out. Naa, it didn't hurt at all. I wish I could have SEEN it on the screen though. One thing I would like to add here is that the whole process, anesthetics plus, kind of ran me down for a couple of weeks. Or maybe it wasn't that, but the fact that I caught a head cold a couple of days after the colonoscopy. Then my knee gave me some problems. I didn't bounce back right away like I expected, then again I'm 51.
PS. My sister and I both have diverticulosis, as revealed by our docs. Many people do.

I think you mean a COLONOSCOPY. :) I knew it the second I read "big cleanout"!

Part of my job is in a dysplasia clinic 2x week. None of the patients scream during the procedure or walk funny when they leave. (I can also say that I've had 2 colpos, one by a VERY inexperienced MD -- and I not only lived through it but went back to work the same day).

Most people don't even need an OTC pain reliever.

If you want to know more about dysplasia and HPV, let me know.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2004

I think you mean a COLONOSCOPY. :) I knew it the second I read "big cleanout"!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Oh my! :uhoh21:

Any hoo....

I had one many years ago and it was like terrible cramps, but the pain stopped as soon as it was over. I hope everything turns out OK!

jncRN · Jun 24, 2004

Hi,

I had ASCUS cells on my Pap two years ago and went for a colposcopy; it wasn't really painful that time, just a bit uncomfortable like a pap itself. The results came back negative for anything. Then I had ASCUS again last fall, so I went for colposcopy again in April. This time, they said I still don't have dysplasia, but that I do have HPV -- apparently a very common thing, and easy to get -- and that this was causing the abnormal cells. The only pain this time was when they took a little biopsy of the cervix, but it really was over quickly and I only had mild menstrual-like cramping for the afternoon afterwards.

Give your SIL a hug and let her know that it will not be so bad, and that it's important that she is going to get this important screening.

Zhlake · Jun 25, 2004

Hi,
This time, they said I still don't have dysplasia, but that I do have HPV -- apparently a very common thing, and easy to get -- and that this was causing the abnormal cells.

Nearly all dysplasia is caused by HPV. It is funny you posted this. I had a LEEP today to take care of dysplasia. I had a bad pap during pregnancy, biopsy after I delivered and LEEP today to get rid of those cells. Really wasn't bad at all..

kimmynykole · Jun 25, 2004

My SIL had a pap test last month and they came back with abnormal cells, she has had PID 3 times in the last 3 years and she is only 22 years old (with 2 kids).
She has to go for a colposcopy in August. Can anyone give me info and does it burn or hurt??? Any input would be helpful.

Hi....I am 22 also....I had to have a colposcopy this past November because my pap came back showing abnormal cells as well. I was very nervous before hand, but it went alot better than I thought. I took a couple of tylenol before it. I only remember having slight cramping during the colposcopy....but afterwards I was fine, no pain at all.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jun 25, 2004

I should probably start a new thread, but is the standard now to go straight to colpo for an ASCUS pap smear? Is anyone routinely doing HPV digene tests? Here we offer our pt's the option, altho steer toward colpo since if the high-risk HPV comes back positive, you need to colpo anyway.

hmccartn · Jun 25, 2004

hey..something i actually know something about... i have had about 10 colposcopies in the last few years...in my experience a biopsy of tissue is not needed every time a colposcopy is done...typically it is the same routine as a normal pap except they place some lovely binocular looking things where the sun dont shine... just to get a better look at the cervix...they place acetic acid (i think- aka vinegar) on your cervix because it makes the cells white and helps them visualize it better...this stings a bit but isnt bad...the times they did do a biopsy it just felt like good pinch and then i had cramping for the remainder of the day and spotting... i also ended up having the laser surgery to deal with the dysplasia..that was fine too...the part that didnt feel too hot was getting the needle in my cervix...then there's the joy of seeing smoke come from places you never knew it good...hahahaha.. best of luck to your sister in law... if she is concerned, take a mild pain reliever about a half hour before her appt... take care.

jkaee · Jun 27, 2004

Like everyone else has stated, I had one done about 12 years ago for an abnormal pap......I took some ES tylenol beforehand and I had very mild cramping during the procedure, and a little afterwards, but nothing like the menstrual cramps that used to incapacitate me in my teens. I had to have my cervix lasered for severe dysplasia, but have had normal paps since then. Since she's gone thru labor before, this shouldn't be a terrible experience for her.

Hope everything goes well for her!